COUNTY MAP & LOGO

City/ Town:
County Area:
County Population (2019):
County Density:
Eldoret
2,955 km2
1,163,186
394 km-2
Eldoret International Airport
From Nairobi Airport (JKIA ):
1 Hour
Jomo Kenyatta Intl. Airport
To Eldoret City:
6 HoursÂ
Weather Average
COUNTY LEADERSHIP

The Governor
H.E. Hon. Jonathan Kimeli Bii Chelilim

The Deputy Governor
H.E. Hon. Eng John Kibet Barorot, EBS

Eng. Martha Cheruto
CEC. Tourism
Welcome to Uasin Gishu County
The city of champions
WHAT WE ENVISION FOR TOURISM THIS YEAR...
Uasin Gishu is an extensive plain (the UG plateau) which is an extension of the rich volcanic soils of Trans Nzoia (the breakdown product of volcanic extrusions from the once massive Mount Elgon). The name is a corruption of the Maasai words “Guasu Ng’ishu” (spelling arbitrary) meaning “stream of cattle”.
For many of the visitors to the region in the early 20th century the name would surely have been different. “Unending stream of wildlife” would have been a better description, for the plain was teeming with antelope, giraffe, zebra, rhino and their attendant carnivores. All were wiped out in less than half a century. For the “white-settlers” who came to the windswept plateau to break the land and establish large-scale farms, the gun was used almost as much as the plough. In one year alone 7000 zebras were shot (using government bullets) and 2/= paid out for each zebra tail by the District Commissioner.
Sadly, little wildlife remains today, except in captivity. A small enclave of giraffes is protected on a farm at Sergoit and may be visited.
Uasin Gishu is still a largely agricultural county. Maize and wheat farming, the rearing of dairy and beef cattle and flowers production are the main enterprises. What industries there are tend to be agro-based.
The business and social centre for the early settlers was Eldoret; the site was chosen because of its rocky infertility and location next to the Sosiani River.
A century later, Eldoret is still the business and social hub of Uasin Gishu ——  and, to some extent, the whole North Rift. It is one of the largest and fastest-growing towns in Kenya. Its International airport and its location on the Main road from Nairobi (part of the Trans-Africa Highway) make it the gateway to North Rift. It offers good shopping, good hotels and recreational activities such as swimming.
Running, the regions pre-eminent sport is not neglected. The Kass Marathon and other road races are an annual event. Track competitions are centred on the Kip Keino Sports Stadium in the heart of Eldoret.
Welcome to the prestigious City of Champions.